ATBECHDEDKESFRGBGRITLILUNLSEMCPTIESILTLVFIRO..CY..TRBGCZEEHUPLSK....IS..............................*JBDM Ver 0.1.50 (10 Nov 2016) - 2100000/01831709EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATIONB120170322EP05816457.5200512202007072320071227enenen638630 P20041222US20170322201712200709122007372017032220171220161110G01R 33/34 20060101AFI20070319BHEP deHOCHFREQUENZSPULE MIT ÜBERTRAGUNGSLEITUNGS-ENDRINGENenRADIO FREQUENCY COIL WITH TRANSMISSION LINE END-RINGSfrBOBINE RADIOFREQUENCE COMPRENANT DES ANNEAUX TERMINAUX A LIGNE DE TRANSMISSIONWO-A-03/036318US-A- 5 041 790US-A- 5 581 186US-B1- 6 232 779PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1996, no. 03, 29 March 1996 (1996-03-29) & JP 07 308304 A (GE YOKOGAWA MEDICAL SYST LTD), 28 November 1995 (1995-11-28)HOLLE, EerkeP.O. Box 10.000NL-5680 DA BestNLHAANS, Paulus, C., H., A.P.O. Box 10.000NL-5680 DA BestNLKoninklijke Philips N.V.1013911852004P03036WEHigh Tech Campus 55656 AE EindhovenNLCohen, Julius Simonet al101471454Philips Intellectual Property & Standards High Tech Campus 55656 AE EindhovenNLATBEBGCHCYCZDEDKEEESFIFRGBGRHUIEISITLILTLULVMCNLPLPTROSESISKTRIB200505433720051220enWO200606774620060629200626

The following relates to the magnetic resonance arts. It finds particular application in magnetic resonance imaging coils and scanners, and will be described with particular reference thereto. More generally, it finds application in magnetic resonance systems for imaging, spectroscopy, and so forth.

The end-rings of radio frequency coils for magnetic resonance applications carry a substantial amount of current. Generally the current on the end-rings is determined by the number of rungs, with more rungs producing a higher end-ring current/rung current ratio. For N rungs, this ratio of currents is estimated to be 1/sqrt(2-2·cos(φ)), where φ=2·π/N. For N=16 rungs, this gives an end-ring current/rung current ratio of 2.56. These high end-ring currents can lead to degraded coil performance due to high local specific absorption ratio values near the end-rings and increased inhomogeneity of the B1 field. Moreover, existing end-rings typically include lumped capacitive elements to tune the coil to the resonance frequency in order to satisfy the current ratio. Other capacitive elements connect the rungs with the end-rings. These capacitive elements increase coil manufacturing costs.

International publication WO 03/036318 A1 published May 1, 2003 discloses an improvement in which the end-rings are embodied as closed coaxial transmission line loops having an inner conductor and an outer concentric sheathing conductor. The shielding provided by the outer sheathing conductor reduces the detrimental effects of high currents in the end-rings. However, coaxial transmission line end-rings complicate manufacturing due to the increased complexity of the end-rings and due to the need to couple the rungs to the sheathed inner conductors of the end-rings. This coupling involves forming openings in the sheathing outer conductor.

The international publication WO 01/94964 A1 discloses a superconducting birdcage coil having a construction that is specific to the use of high temperature superconductor (HTS) material for the electrically conducting parts of the coil. The superconducting birdcage coil is formed by a plurality of parallel rungs connected to a pair of end-rings. The rungs are connected to the end-rings at junctions which are spaced peripherally along each of the end-rings. The rungs are formed by elongated sapphire substrate strips with a layer of HTS material grown over the entire length of the strips on one of their surfaces. At each of the junctions, the HTS layer and the respective end-ring form a capacitance selected to provide the desired resonance frequency of the birdcage coil.

Documents US 2004/155656 A1 and US 4,692,705 disclose radio frequency coils, in which capacitances are realized by providing overlaps between conductor strips, wherein a dielectric material is provided in the zone of overlap between the strips.

The following contemplates improved apparatuses and methods that overcome the aforementioned limitations and others.

According to the invention, a radio frequency coil according to claim 1 and a radio frequency coil according to claim 2 are disclosed.

According to another aspect, a magnetic resonance scanner comprising such a radio frequency coil is disclosed. A main magnet generates a main magnetic field in an examination region. Magnetic field gradient coils superimpose selected magnetic field gradients on the main magnetic field in the examination region. A radio frequency coil includes an arrangement of substantially parallel rungs and one or more generally annular strip-type end-rings disposed generally transverse to the parallel rungs and connected with the rungs. Each generally annular strip-type end-ring includes at least two conductor layers separated by a dielectric layer. A radio frequency shield substantially surrounds the arrangement of substantially parallel rungs. At least one of the conductor layers of each end-ring is connected with the radio frequency shield.

According to yet another aspect, a radio frequency coil for transmitting or receiving signals at a magnetic resonance frequency includes arrangement of substantially parallel rungs and one or more generally annular strip-type end-rings disposed generally transverse to the parallel rungs and connected with the rungs. Each generally annular strip-type end-ring has a length between adjacent rungs that is greater than a distance between the adjacent rungs.

One advantage resides in reduction or elimination of discrete components such as lumped capacitive elements.

Another advantage resides in simplified coil manufacturing and reduced manufacturing cost.

Another advantage resides in improved performance of the radio frequency coil.

Numerous additional advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description.

The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various process operations and arrangements of process operations. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

With reference to FIGURE 1, a magnetic resonance imaging scanner 10 includes a housing 12 defining an examination region 14 in which is disposed a patient or other imaging subject 16. A main magnet 20 disposed in the housing 12 generates a main magnetic field in the examination region 14. Typically, the main magnet 20 is a superconducting magnet surrounded by cryoshrouding 24; however, a resistive main magnet can also be used. Magnetic field gradient coils 30 are arranged in or on the housing 12 to superimpose selected magnetic field gradients on the main magnetic field within the examination region 14. A whole-body radio frequency coil 32, such as a birdcage coil with a surrounding shield 34, is arranged in or on the housing 12 to inject radio frequency excitation pulses into the examination region 14.

With continuing reference to FIGURE 1, a magnetic resonance imaging controller 50 operates magnetic field gradient controllers 52 coupled to the gradient coils 30 to superimpose selected magnetic field gradients on the main magnetic field in the examination region 14, and also operates a radio frequency transmitter 54 coupled to the radio frequency coil 32 to inject selected radio frequency excitation pulses at about the magnetic resonance frequency into the examination region 14. The radio frequency excitation pulses excite magnetic resonance signals in the imaging subject 16 that are spatially encoded by the selected magnetic field gradients. Still further, the imaging controller 50 operates a radio frequency receiver 56 also connected with the radio frequency coil 32 to receive the generated and spatially encoded magnetic resonance signals, and the received spatially encoded magnetic resonance data is stored in a magnetic resonance data memory 60.

A reconstruction processor 62 reconstructs the stored magnetic resonance data into a reconstructed image of the imaging subject 16 or a selected portion thereof lying within the examination region 14. The reconstruction processor 62 employs a Fourier transform reconstruction technique or other suitable reconstruction technique that comports with the spatial encoding used in the data acquisition. The reconstructed image is stored in an images memory 64, and can be displayed on a user interface 66, transmitted over a local area network or the Internet, printed by a printer, or otherwise utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, the user interface 66 also enables a radiologist or other user to interface with the imaging controller 50 to select, modify, or execute imaging sequences. In other embodiments, separate user interfaces are provided for operating the scanner 10 and for displaying or otherwise manipulating the reconstructed images.

The described magnetic resonance imaging system is an illustrative example. In general, substantially any magnetic resonance imaging scanner can incorporate the disclosed radio frequency coils. For example, the scanner can be an open magnet scanner, a vertical bore scanner, a low-field scanner, a high-field scanner, or so forth. In the embodiment of FIGURE 1, a single radio frequency coil 32 is used for both transmit and receive phases of the magnetic resonance sequence; however, in other embodiments separate transmit and receive coils may be provided, one or both of which may incorporate one or more of the radio frequency coil designs and design approaches disclosed herein. Still further, while a whole coil 32 is described herein, the radio frequency coil designs and design approaches can also be used for head coils, arm or leg coils, or the like.

With reference to FIGURES 2-7, the example illustrated radio frequency coil 32 includes a plurality of rungs 70, specifically sixteen rungs in the illustrated coil 32. The rungs 70 are arranged in parallel to one another and surround the examination region 14. In the illustrated coil 32, the rungs 70 include printed circuit segments disposed on the outside surface of an electrically non-conducting generally cylindrical substrate 72, with the printed circuit segments of the rungs 70 connected by lumped capacitive elements 74 (shown only in FIGURE 2). However, in other embodiments the rungs may be continuous printed circuit segments, continuous free-standing conductors, free-standing conductor segments connected by lumped capacitive elements or conductive traces, transmission lines including overlapping printed circuitry disposed on both the inside and the outside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72, or other types of conductor arrangements.

Two generally annular end-rings 78, 80 are disposed generally transverse to the parallel rungs 70. The end-rings 78, 80 are connected to the rungs 70. The generally annular end-ring 78 includes an outer conductor layer 82 disposed on the outside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72 and an inner conductor layer 84 disposed on the inside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72. The outer and inner conductor layers 82, 84 define a closed-loop transmission line. Similarly, the generally annular end-ring 80 includes an outer conductor layer 86 disposed on the outside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72 and an inner conductor layer 88 disposed on the inside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72. The outer and inner conductor layers 86, 88 define another closed-loop transmission line. The outer conductor layers 82, 86 are suitably formed as printed circuitry on the outside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72, and similarly the inner conductor layers 84, 88 are suitably formed as printed circuitry on the inside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72.

In the illustrated coil 32, the rungs 70 are coupled with the end-rings 78, 80 through conductive connections between printed circuitry defining the outer conductor layers 82, 86 and printed circuitry defining the rungs 70. In other embodiments, the coupling at the magnetic resonance frequency can be achieved via lumped capacitive elements or via capacitive gaps between the end-rings 78, 80 and the ends of the rungs 70. Kirchoff's law should be satisfied at the intersection of the rings and rungs.

The radio frequency shield 34 is generally cylindrical in shape and is arranged concentrically outside of the arrangement of rungs 70 and outside of the generally cylindrical substrate 72. The generally annular end-rings 78, 80 are arranged coaxially with the generally cylindrical radio frequency shield 34. The first or outer conductor layers 82, 86 are disposed at a larger annular radius than the second or inner conductor layers 84, 88. The generally cylindrical radio frequency shield 34 is disposed at a larger cylinder radius than the annular radius of the first conductor layers 82, 86. In the illustrated coil 32, the radio frequency shield 34 is spaced apart from the radio frequency coil 32 by electrically non-conductive spacer elements 90 (best seen in FIGURES 2 and 7).

With particular reference to FIGURES 3 and 7, the second or inner conductor layer 84 of the end-ring 78 is conductively connected with a proximate annular edge of the generally cylindrical radio frequency shield 34 by a conductor 94. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor 94 connects the inner conductor layer 84 with the shield 34 along most or all of the proximate annular edge of the shield 34. The edge of the radio frequency shield 34, conductor 94, and inner conductor layer 84 of the end-ring 78 define a lip inside of which is disposed the first or outer conductor layer 82 of the end-ring 78. The inner conductor layer 84 provides the ground plane for the outer conductor layer 82, thus defining a strip-like transmission line. In some contemplated embodiments, the conductive connection between the shield and the inner conductor layer is not continuous along the annular edge, but rather includes periodic conductive connections such as conductive strips spaced apart annually around the annular edge of the generally cylindrical shield.

In similar fashion, the second or inner conductor layer 88 of the end-ring 80 is conductively connected with a proximate annular edge of the radio frequency shield 34 by a conductor 96 (shown only in FIGURE 7) along most or all of the annular edge. The edge of the radio frequency shield 34, conductor 96, and inner conductor layer 88 of the end-ring 80 define a lip inside of which is disposed the first or outer conductor layer 86 of the end-ring 80.

The shielding second conductor layers 84, 88 preferably have larger widths than the first conductor layers 82, 86 to provide effective shielding for the latter. The ground conductor layers 84, 88 should overlap the conductor layers 82, 86 by approximately five times the thickness of the substrate 72. In some embodiments, the shielding or compensating is achieved using a limited separation between the conductive strip layers and the associated ground conductor layer.

The first conductor layers 82, 86 have a geometry selected to provide a selected characteristic impedance. The characteristic impedance of the strip-type end-rings 78, 80 formed by the conductor layers 82, 86 and ground conductor layers 84, 88 is defined by the width of the conductor layers 82, 86, the separation between conductor layers 82, 86 and ground conductor layers 84, 88, the width of ground conductor layers 84, 88, and the dielectric constant of the intervening dielectric medium (e.g., the substrate 72).

A length of the end-ring between two neighboring rungs 70 is selected to provide a selected transmission delay. In general, the selected length is greater than a circumferential arc length between the neighboring rungs 70. With particular reference to FIGURE 4, to accommodate the extra length of the portions of first conductor layers 82, 86 between neighboring rungs, each first or outer conductor layer 82, 86 of each generally annular end-ring 78, 80 defines a conductor path with directional components transverse to an annular perimeter 100, 102 (indicated by dashed lines in FIGURE 4) of the generally annular end-ring 78, 80. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the first or outer conductor layers 82, 86 have serpentine shapes with one serpentine undulation between each pair of neighboring rungs 70. The second, inner shielding conductor layers 84, 88 do not need to precisely comport with the shape of the conductor layers 82, 86. For example, the illustrated inner shielding conductor layers 84, 88 have a scalloped shape that overlaps the conductor layers 82, 86 (overlap best seen in FIGURE 6 where the first or outer conductor layer 86 and the second or inner conductor layer 88 of the end-ring 80 are drawn superimposed upon one another).

The outer positioning of the connecting lip conductors 94, 96 simplifies construction. However, other positions for the connecting conductors can be better from a coil performance standpoint. For example, the conductors 94, 96 can be replaced by more inwardly positioned conductors 94', 96' (shown in phantom in FIGURE 7), respectively. The more inward positioning respective to the conductor layers 82, 86 reduces parasitic inductance to improve coil performance.

With reference to FIGURE 7A, in another alternate embodiment, the generally cylindrical substrate 72 is replaced by two electrically non-conducting annular ring substrates 72a, 72b for each end-ring 78, 80 respectively. The conductor layers 82, 84 are disposed on opposing surfaces of the annular ring substrate 72a. The conductor layers 86, 88 are disposed on opposing surfaces of the annular ring substrate 72b. The electrically non-conductive spacer elements 90 in this embodiment space apart the rungs 70 from the radio frequency screen 34. The rungs may also be transmission lines having an air gap defined by the spacers 90 and the screen 34 as the ground plane. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with high magnetic field (e.g., 7 Tesla) scanners.

With reference to FIGURE 7B, in yet another alternate embodiment, the inner conductor layers 84, 88 and connecting conductors 94, 96 are omitted, the conductor layers 82, 86 are arranged on the inside surface of the generally cylindrical substrate 72, and the radio frequency screen 34 is moved onto, or into close enough proximity to, the outside surface of the generally cylindrical substrate 72 to define the ground plane of end-ring transmission lines. Typically, in such an embodiment the rungs (not shown in FIGURE 7B) will also be placed on the inside surface of the substrate 72, or may be placed more inwardly, for example lying on spacers 90 and electrically connected with radials 94, 96. The rungs may also include lumped capacitive elements.

While several examples have been illustrated in FIGURES 7, 7A, and 7B, still yet other configurations for strip-type transmission line end-rings are contemplated. The strip-type end-ring should provide a non-radiating transmission line structure of selected impedance and delay. The field of the ring-current is reduced by shielding and/or by compensating current in an associated ground conductor layer. In the embodiments of FIGURES 7, 7A, and 7B, the strip-type end-rings employ a conductor layer and a corresponding ground conductor layer (e.g., conductor layer 82 and ground conductor layer 84) - this is sometimes referred to as a microstrip structure. In other contemplated embodiments, each strip-type end ring includes more than two layers, such as a conductor layer sandwiched between two ground conductor layers - this is sometimes called a stripline structure. The stripline structure provides better high frequency characteristics than the microstrip, especially better shielding, but is more complex to manufacture. As used herein, the term strip-type end-ring includes microstrip end-rings, stripline end-rings, and end-rings formed by other arrangements of two or more conductor layers separated by dielectric layers which define transmission lines.

With reference to FIGURES 8A and 8B, the layouts of the conductor layers of the end-rings can have various shapes that satisfy the desired transmission line characteristics such as characteristic impedance, transmission delay, current distribution, and power dissipation. Similarly, the shielding or ground conductor layers can have various layouts. For example, FIGURE 8A shows an alternative end-ring 78' having a first conductor layer 82' defining a square-wave or triangle type serpentine path, and a second shielding conductor layer 84' (drawn in phantom) shaped to overlap the first conductor layer 82'. Rungs 70' extend from the lower portions of the square-wave type serpentine path of the first conductor layer 82'. FIGURE 8B shows an alternative end-ring 78" having a first conductor layer 82" defining a smooth serpentine path with two undulations between each pair of rungs 70", and a second shielding conductor layer 84" (drawn in phantom) shaped as a straight strip overlapping the first conductor layer 82".

Those skilled in the art can readily select other configurations for the conductor layers of the strip-type end-rings which provide the desired transmission line characteristics. Substantially any type of strip-line, micro-strip-line, or other strip-type transmission line can be employed, optionally in conjunction with layout techniques employing lumped or semi-lumped elements such as patch capacitors, impedance steps, stubs, and so forth.

The illustrated end-rings 78, 78', 78", 80 employ serpentine shapes with directional components transverse to the annular perimeter of the generally annular end-rings to provide a designed extended length between neighboring rungs. The designed extended length enables tailoring of the transmission delay and other transmission line characteristics, and enables tailoring of the coupling of the end-rings with the rungs through tailoring of transmission line parameters such as the transmission delay and characteristic impedance. This approach eliminates the need for capacitive elements in the end-rings, and eliminates the need for capacitive coupling (when compared to a low-pass or low-pass-like band-pass birdcage configuration) between the end-rings and the rungs. For example, the rungs 70, 70', 70" can be formed of printed circuitry that continuously and conductively connects with the printed circuitry defining the first conductor layers 82, 82', 82", 86.

Elimination of lumped capacitive elements reduces manufacturing complexity and cost. However, in some other contemplated embodiments, lumped capacitive elements are included in the end-rings and/or at the coupling between the end-rings and the rungs to provide tuning or matching.

Although a whole body birdcage-type coil is illustrated, it is to be appreciated that the coils and coil design approaches described herein are readily adapted to constructing other types of radio frequency coils such as head coils, arm- or leg-coils, or the like. In some designs, more or fewer than two end-rings may be provided. For example, in some head coil designs, an end capacitor replaces one of the end-rings, so that the head coil with end capacitor includes only a single end-ring suitably embodied as, for example, one of the end-rings 78, 78', 78".

 A radio frequency coil for transmitting or receiving signals at a magnetic resonance frequency, the coil comprising: an arrangement of substantially parallel rungs (70, 70', 70"), at least one generally annular strip-type end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) connected with and disposed generally transverse to the rungs (70, 70', 70"), and a radio frequency shield (34) substantially surrounding the arrangement of substantially parallel rungs (70, 70', 70"), characterized in that: the end-ring is a strip-type transmission line end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) defining a closed-loop transmission line having a length between adjacent rungs that is greater than a circumferential arc length between the adjacent rungs (70, 70', 70") to provide a selected transmission delay, and the strip-type transmission line end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) includes at least two conductor layers (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) separated by a dielectric layer (72, 72a, 72b), and at least one of the conductor layers (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) of each end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) is connected with the radio frequency shield (34), and an electrically non-conductive generally cylindrical substrate (72) defines the separating dielectric layers of the one or more end-rings (78, 78', 78", 80), the substantially parallel rungs (70, 70', 70") being disposed on or in the generally cylindrical substrate oriented substantially parallel to a cylinder axis of the generally cylindrical substrate. A radio frequency coil for transmitting or receiving signals at a magnetic resonance frequency, the coil comprising: an arrangement of substantially parallel rungs (70, 70', 70"), at least one generally annular strip-type end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) connected with and disposed generally transverse to the rungs (70, 70', 70"), and a radio frequency shield (34) substantially surrounding the arrangement of substantially parallel rungs (70, 70', 70"), characterized in that: the end-ring is a strip-type transmission line end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) defining a closed-loop transmission line having a length between adjacent rungs that is greater than a circumferential arc length between the adjacent rungs (70, 70', 70") to provide a selected transmission delay, and the strip-type transmission line end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) includes at least two conductor layers (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) separated by a dielectric layer (72, 72a, 72b), and at least one of the conductor layers (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) of each end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) is connected with the radio frequency shield (34), and the dielectric layer (72a, 72b) of each end ring defines an electrically non-conducting annular ring substrate, and the at least two conductor layers (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) are disposed on opposing surfaces of the annular ring substrate. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one conductor layer (82, 82', 82", 86) of each generally annular end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) has a generally serpentine shape. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one conductor layer (82, 82', 82", 86) of each generally annular end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) defines a conductor path with directional components transverse to an annular perimeter (100, 102) of the generally annular end-ring. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rungs (70, 70', 70") are one of (i) conductive traces and (ii) striplines or microstrips disposed on or in the electrically non-conductive generally cylindrical substrate (72). The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductor layers (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) of each end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) include: a first conductor layer (82, 82', 82", 86); and a second conductor layer (84, 84', 84", 88) substantially parallel with the first conductor layer, the second conductor layer being conductively connected with the radio frequency shield (34). The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 6, wherein the radio frequency shield (34) is generally cylindrical, and the second conductor layer (84, 84', 84", 88) of each end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) conductively connects with a proximate annular edge of the generally cylindrical radio frequency shield. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 7, wherein the second conductor layer (84, 84', 84", 88) of each end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) conductively connects with the proximate annular edge of the generally cylindrical radio frequency shield (34) along most or all of the annular edge. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 7, wherein the electrically non-conductive generally cylindrical substrate (72) is arranged inside of and substantially concentrically with the generally cylindrical radio frequency shield (34). The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 9, wherein the second conductive layer of each end ring (78, 80) is defined by a portion of the radio frequency shield (34) arranged parallel with the first conductor layer (82, 86). The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the conductor layers (82, 86) of each end-ring (78, 80) include: a first conductor layer (82, 86); and a second conductor layer defined by a portion of the radio frequency shield (34) arranged substantially parallel with the first conductor layer. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two conductors (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) of each end-ring (78, 78', 78", 80) include: a first conductor (82, 82', 82", 86); and a second conductor (84, 84', 84", 88) connected with the radio frequency shield (34); a width and length of the first conductor between neighboring rungs (70, 70', 70") being designed to provide a selected impedance and delay that cooperates with the rungs to tune the coil. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 12, wherein (i) a width of the first conductor (82, 82', 82", 86) is selected to provide a selected characteristic impedance of the stripline and (ii) a length of the first conductor between two neighboring rungs (70, 70', 70") is selected to provide a selected delay of the stripline. The radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2, wherein the end-rings (78, 78', 78", 80) do not include lumped capacitive elements. A magnetic resonance scanner comprising: a main magnet (20) generating a main magnetic field in an examination region; magnetic field gradient coils (30) superimposing selected magnetic field gradients on the main magnetic field in the examination region; and a radio frequency coil as set forth in claim 1 or 2. Hochfrequenzspule zum Übertragen oder Empfangen von Signalen auf einer Magnetresonanzfrequenz, wobei die Spule Folgendes umfasst: eine Anordnung von im Wesentlichen parallelen Sprossen (70, 70', 70"), zumindest einen im Allgemeinen streifenartigen Endring (78, 78', 78", 80), der mit den Sprossen (70, 70', 70") verbunden, und im Allgemeinen quer dazu angeordnet ist, und eine Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34), die im Wesentlichen die Anordnung von im Wesentlichen parallelen Sprossen (70, 70', 70") umgibt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass: der Endring ein streifenartiger Übertragungsleitungs-Endring (78, 78', 78", 80) ist, der eine Übertragungsleitung mit geschlossenem Regelkreis definiert, die eine Länge zwischen benachbarten Sprossen aufweist, die größer ist, als eine Umfangsbogenlänge zwischen den benachbarten Sprossen (70, 70', 70"), um eine ausgewählte Übertragungsverzögerung bereitzustellen, und der streifenartige Übertragungsleitungs-Endring (78, 78', 78", 80) zumindest zwei Leiterschichten (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) enthält, die durch eine dielektrische Schicht (72, 72a, 72b) voneinander getrennt sind, und zumindest eine der Leiterschichten (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) eines jeden Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) mit der Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) verbunden ist, und ein elektrisch nicht leitendes und im Allgemeinen zylindrisches Substrat (72) die trennenden dielektrischen Schichten des einen oder mehrerer Endringe (78, 78', 78", 80) definiert, wobei die im Wesentlichen parallelen Sprossen (70, 70', 70"), die auf oder in dem im Allgemeinen zylindrischen Substrat angeordnet sind, im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer Zylinderachse des im Allgemeinen zylindrischen Substrats ausgerichtet sind. Hochfrequenzspule zum Übertragen oder Empfangen von Signalen auf einer Magnetresonanzfrequenz, wobei die Spule Folgendes umfasst: eine Anordnung von im Wesentlichen parallelen Sprossen (70, 70', 70"), zumindest einen im Allgemeinen streifenartigen Endring (78, 78', 78", 80), der mit den Sprossen (70, 70', 70") verbunden, und im Allgemeinen quer dazu angeordnet ist, und eine Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34), die im Wesentlichen die Anordnung von im Wesentlichen parallelen Sprossen (70, 70', 70") umgibt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass: der Endring ein streifenartiger Übertragungsleitungs-Endring (78, 78', 78", 80) ist, der eine Übertragungsleitung mit geschlossenem Regelkreis definiert, die eine Länge zwischen benachbarten Sprossen aufweist, die größer ist, als eine Umfangsbogenlänge zwischen den benachbarten Sprossen (70, 70', 70"), um eine ausgewählte Übertragungsverzögerung bereitzustellen, und der streifenartige Übertragungsleitungs-Endring (78, 78', 78", 80) zumindest zwei Leiterschichten (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) enthält, die durch eine dielektrische Schicht (72, 72a, 72b) getrennt sind, und zumindest eine der Leiterschichten (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) eines jeden Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) mit der Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) verbunden ist, und die dielektrische Schicht (72a, 72b) eines jeden Endrings ein elektrisch nicht leitendes ringförmiges Ringsubstrat definiert, und die zumindest zwei Leiterschichten (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) an gegenüberliegenden Flächen des ringförmigen Ringsubstrats angeordnet sind. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die zumindest eine Leiterschicht (82, 82', 82", 86) eines jeden im Allgemeinen ringförmigen Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) eine im Allgemeinen schlangenartige Form aufweist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die zumindest eine Leiterschicht (82, 82', 82", 86) eines jeden im Allgemeinen ringförmigen Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) eine Leiterbahn mit Richtungskomponenten quer zu einem ringförmigen Umfang (100, 102) des im Allgemeinen ringförmigen Endrings definiert. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Sprossen (70, 70', 70") entweder (i) Leiterbahnen, oder (ii) Streifenleitungen oder Mikrostreifen sind, die auf dem oder im elektrisch nicht leitenden, im Allgemeinen zylindrischen Substrat (72) angeordnet sind. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Leiterschichten (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) eines jeden Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) Folgendes umfassen: eine erste Leiterschicht (82, 82', 82", 86); und eine zweite Leiterschicht (84, 84', 84", 88), im Wesentlichen parallel zur ersten Leiterschicht, wobei die zweite Leiterschicht leitend mit der Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) verbunden ist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) im Allgemeinen zylindrisch ist, und die zweite Leiterschicht (84, 84', 84", 88) eines jeden Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) leitend mit einer naheliegenden ringförmigen Kante der im Allgemeinen zylindrischen Hochfrequenzabschirmung verbunden ist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 7, wobei die zweite Leiterschicht (84, 84', 84", 88) eines jeden Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) leitend mit der naheliegenden ringförmigen Kante der im Allgemeinen zylindrischen Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) entlang des Großteils oder der gesamten ringförmigen Kante verbunden ist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 7, wobei das elektrisch nicht leitende, im Allgemeinen zylindrische Substrat (72) innerhalb von, und im Wesentlichen konzentrisch zur im Allgemeinen zylindrischen Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) angeordnet ist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 9, wobei die zweite Leiterschicht eines jeden Endrings (78, 80) durch einen Abschnitt der Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) definiert wird, der parallel zur ersten Leiterschicht (82, 86) angeordnet ist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Leiterschichten (82, 86) eines jeden Endrings (78, 80) Folgendes umfassen: eine erste Leiterschicht (82, 86); und eine zweite Leiterschicht, die durch einen Abschnitt der Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) definiert wird, der im Wesentlichen parallel zur ersten Leiterschicht angeordnet ist. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die beiden Leiter (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) eines jeden Endrings (78, 78', 78", 80) Folgendes umfassen: einen ersten Leiter (82, 82', 82", 86); und einen zweiten Leiter (84, 84', 84", 88), der mit der Hochfrequenzabschirmung (34) verbunden ist; wobei eine Breite und Länge des ersten Leiters zwischen benachbarten Sprossen (70, 70', 70") konzipiert sind, um eine ausgewählte Impedanz und Verzögerung bereitzustellen, die mit den Sprossen zum Einstellen der Spule zusammenwirkt. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 12, wobei (i) eine Breite des ersten Leiters (82, 82', 82", 86) ausgewählt wird, um eine ausgewählte charakteristische Impedanz der Streifenleitung bereitzustellen, und (ii) eine Länge des ersten Leiters zwischen zwei benachbarten Sprossen (70, 70', 70") ausgewählt wird, um eine ausgewählte Verzögerung der Streifenleitung bereitzustellen. Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Endringe (78, 78', 78", 80) keine konzentrierten kapazitiven Elemente umfassen. Magnetresonanz-Scanner, Folgendes umfassend: einen Hauptmagneten (20), der ein Hauptmagnetfeld in einem Untersuchungsbereich erzeugt; Magnetfeld-Gradientenspulen (30), die ausgewählte Magnetfeld-Gradienten im Hauptmagnetfeld im Untersuchungsbereich überlagern; und eine Hochfrequenzspule nach Anspruch 1 oder 2. Bobine radiofréquence pour émettre ou recevoir des signaux selon une fréquence de résonance magnétique, la bobine comprenant : un agencement d'échelons sensiblement parallèles (70, 70', 70"), au moins un anneau terminal de type bande généralement annulaire (78, 78', 78", 80) relié à et disposé de manière généralement transversale par rapport aux échelons (70, 70', 70"), et un bouclier radiofréquence (34) entourant sensiblement l'agencement d'échelons sensiblement parallèles (70, 70', 70"), caractérisée en ce que : l'anneau terminal est un anneau terminal à ligne de transmission de type bande (78, 78', 78", 80) définissant une ligne de transmission à boucle fermée ayant une longueur entre des échelons adjacents qui est plus importante qu'une longueur d'arc circonférentielle entre les échelons adjacents (70, 70', 70") pour fournir un temps de transmission choisi, et l'anneau terminal à ligne de transmission de type bande (78, 78', 78", 80) comprend au moins deux couches de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) séparées par une couche diélectrique (72, 72a, 72b), et au moins l'une des couches de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 78', 78", 80) est reliée au bouclier radiofréquence (34), et un substrat non électroconducteur généralement cylindrique (72) définit les couches diélectriques de séparation des un ou plusieurs anneaux terminaux (78, 78', 78", 80), les échelons sensiblement parallèles (70, 70', 70") étant disposés sur ou dans le substrat généralement cylindrique orienté de manière sensiblement parallèle à un axe de cylindre du substrat généralement cylindrique. Bobine radiofréquence pour émettre ou recevoir des signaux selon une fréquence de résonance magnétique, la bobine comprenant : un agencement d'échelons sensiblement parallèles (70, 70', 70"), au moins un anneau terminal de type bande généralement annulaire (78, 78', 78", 80) relié à et disposé de manière généralement transversale par rapport aux échelons (70, 70', 70"), et un bouclier radiofréquence (34) entourant sensiblement l'agencement d'échelons sensiblement parallèles (70, 70', 70"), caractérisée en ce que : l'anneau terminal est un anneau terminal à ligne de transmission de type bande (78, 78', 78", 80) définissant une ligne de transmission à boucle fermée ayant une longueur entre des échelons adjacents qui est plus importante qu'une longueur d'arc circonférentielle entre les échelons adjacents (70, 70', 70") pour fournir un temps de transmission choisi, et l'anneau terminal à ligne de transmission de type bande (78, 78', 78", 80) comprend au moins deux couches de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) séparées par une couche diélectrique (72, 72a, 72b), et au moins l'une des couches de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 78', 78", 80) est reliée au bouclier radiofréquence (34), et la couche diélectrique (72a, 72b) de chaque anneau terminal définit un substrat de forme annulaire non électroconducteur, et les au moins deux couches de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) sont disposées sur des surfaces opposées du substrat de forme annulaire. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle au moins une couche de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 86) de chaque anneau terminal généralement annulaire (78, 78', 78", 80) possède une forme généralement serpentine. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle au moins une couche de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 86) de chaque anneau terminal généralement annulaire (78, 78', 78", 80) définit une ligne conductrice avec des éléments directionnels transversaux par rapport à un périmètre annulaire (100, 102) de l'anneau terminal généralement annulaire. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les échelons (70, 70', 70") sont un parmi (i) des traces conductrices et (ii) des lignes à ruban ou des microrubans disposés sur ou dans le substrat non électroconducteur généralement cylindrique (72). Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les couches de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 78', 78", 80) comprennent : une première couche de conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 86) ; et une seconde couche de conducteurs (84, 84', 84", 88) sensiblement parallèle à la première couche de conducteurs, la seconde couche de conducteurs étant reliée de manière conductrice au bouclier radiofréquence (34). Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle le bouclier radiofréquence (34) est généralement cylindrique, et la seconde couche de conducteurs (84, 84', 84", 88) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 78', 78", 80) est reliée de manière conductrice à un bord annulaire proximal du bouclier radiofréquence généralement cylindrique. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle la seconde couche de conducteurs (84, 84', 84", 88) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 78', 78", 80) est reliée de manière conductrice au bord annulaire proximal du bouclier radiofréquence généralement cylindrique (34) le long d'une majeure partie ou de la totalité du bord annulaire. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle le substrat non électroconducteur généralement cylindrique (72) est agencé à l'intérieur de et de manière sensiblement concentrique avec le bouclier radiofréquence généralement cylindrique (34). Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 9, dans laquelle la seconde couche de conducteurs de chaque anneau terminal (78, 80) est définie par une partie du bouclier radiofréquence (34) agencée de manière parallèle à la première couche de conducteurs (82, 86). Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les couches de conducteurs (82, 86) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 80) comprennent : une première couche de conducteurs (82, 86) ; et une seconde couche de conducteurs définie par une partie du bouclier radiofréquence (34) agencée de manière sensiblement parallèle à la première couche de conducteurs. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les deux conducteurs (82, 82', 82", 84, 84', 84", 86, 88) de chaque anneau terminal (78, 78', 78", 80) comprennent : un premier conducteur (82, 82', 82", 86) ; et un second conducteur (84, 84', 84", 88) reliés au bouclier radiofréquence (34) ; une largeur et une longueur du premier conducteur entre des échelons voisins (70, 70', 70") étant conçues pour fournir une impédance choisie et un temps qui coopère avec les échelons pour régler la bobine. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 12, dans laquelle (i) une largeur du premier conducteur (82, 82', 82", 86) est choisie pour fournir une impédance caractéristique choisie de la ligne à ruban et (ii) une longueur du premier conducteur entre deux échelons voisins (70, 70', 70") est choisie pour fournir un temps choisi de la ligne à ruban. Bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle les anneaux terminaux (78, 78', 78", 80) ne comprennent pas d'éléments capacitifs regroupés. Appareil d'imagerie par résonance magnétique comprenant : un aimant principal (20) générant un champ magnétique principal dans une région d'examen ; des bobines de gradient de champ magnétique (30) superposant des gradients de champ magnétique choisis sur le champ magnétique principal dans la région d'examen ; et une bobine radiofréquence selon la revendication 1 ou 2.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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Patent documents cited in the description